Lee...the raccoons tear up my pond, eat water lillies, and drag the floating stuff out. The possums just get in the way, and wander into the trap for free eats.
Homeowner/Gardener - 12 Copperheads - 1
I figured it was somethin' like that......was just curious what those critters were doin'!
Well, that's a scary story Lee. I came within an inch of stepping on a baby water moccasin (sp?) right after we moved into this house, but luckily that was the last one I've seen inside! I've seen a couple of snakes here in the last couple of weeks, but both were garden snakes. Found this back of the creek, though.
Ahhhhhhh...well you know they're around.....that skin could belong to a wide selection of possibilities....but I bet it's a non-venomous one.
You were blessed that you didn't step on that moccasin....I'd hate to have to experience that bite.....probably more intense!
My goodness, I am glad you are alright. I'll have to check that address exchange to send you a pair of boots. :)
Numerous pairs of boots in my possession........just don't normally wear any of them with a pair of Bermuda Shorts on.....and no place to go!
{that is except to roll up the truck windows (smile)} Thanks for the thought!
Zone 8b, Heat Zone 9, deep East, TX on Lake San Rayburn
Thanks for sharing your experience. I have raised beds & reached down to grab a big Johnson Grass clump. As I pulled it out & up about 18" to toss I saw the copperhead snake in the handful of grass. I screamed, dropped the grass & ran for hubby.
I am so thankful I did not get bitten. We have water mossoccians, coral as well as other pit vipers here on the lake.
I wear high-top rubber boots, thick dennim jeans, long sleeve shirt & pray a lot when I work in my flowers.
OK, two things I look forward to when I get to Heaven.
1) no snakes
2) being in the presence of Jesus
You have a strong Guardian Angel, young man.
I'm glad you're still around to share your story to remind us to: be alert, look closely, learn the snakes habits, and pray a lot! LOL
P.S. I can't give up my gardening; what else brings such joy and renewal?
Keep those shoes on. LOL
TY Sudie! I don't intend to let a little ol' snake bite stop me from gardening.....we live in their territory and must be aware that encounters will happen! Glad you weren't bitten when you pulled that copperhead up with the clump of grass.
The copperhead's bite/venom is not as potent as that of the water moccasin, rattlesnake or coral snake. (I'm SOOO grateful for the bite I rec'd was from a copperhead and not a coral snake, rattler or cottonmouth)....but then....it's more potent than a horse fly bite! (smile)
I made many a trip thru Broaddus when Rayburn was relatively "new".....fishin' all over the lake....as well as fishin' under the bridge (usually during the winter months) for white perch(crappie)....just about every weekend during the late 60's. Love that part of Texas...my roots go back to the mid-1800's in that area. Take care....beware of the heat....LOL....it's probably more dangerous than that copperhead! (smile)
Lee
There was a story in the Chronicle about a young man trying to rescue a copperhead. It barely snagged a finger and his experience was similar to yours. He said he would continue to rescue all kinds of snakes, but now has a 4-prong "grabber".
lrwells50',
that's a weird position and tear pattern for a snake shed
WillisTxGardner-thanks for the snake lesson. If there had been a test I would have failed. I, too, go out in the dark barefoot. To turn the water off, to walk up and down my road, to go to my car. All in the dark - with no shoes. I won't anymore.
About a month ago I was taking my morning stroll through the yard and a water moc was resting on one of my granite trails. As soon as I saw it I rushed my dogs into the house (quite an effort as all five are Labs) and called my brother in law. May he rest in peace. Not my brother in law, the snake.
I am always leary but your experience will make me be more careful.
BP - After having been thru it....my sympathy for our furry kids that have been bitten has dramatically grown.....although my vet told me that the dogs react differently than we do....but still,...if it's only one fourth as bad.....man oh man,...poor pups! A cottonmouth bite would be worse,...so you did good to get 'em back and away from that one!
Sunshines2day, where I found it was across the creek, and it's open to anyone in the neighborhood, so it's possible it had been "manipulated" by one of the neighborhood kids. I can guarantee you that I didn't touch it!
well heres 2 we found today .. 2 more good snakes
This message was edited Jul 23, 2009 4:12 PM
I wonder how'd THEY taste.....fried.....y'know,...like a rattlesnake....only smaller? Hmmmm?
Willis, they are smaller alright, but pretty darned big if you ask me. YUK!! I think about snakes everytime I reach down to pull a weed, which is about a million times a day! I keep thinking if I pull a clump of weeds and see a copperhead, I will keel over dead with a heart attack.
Once I was getting into the feedbox to get some chicken feed and saw a huge snake. I was so startled and scared that I tried to run and fell down and just started rolling to get as far away as I could. Now, you have seen me and you know how that must have looked. My daughter laughed so hard she fell off the porch. It was just a chicken snake. If it had rattled and lunged, I would have not likely lived to tell about it. Not from being bitten mind you, but from being scared to death!
I probably rolled off five pounds from that experience. However it is not my chosen way to lose weight. LOL
My oleanders are looking so pretty. They are a bit lanky though and I am wondering if it would hurt to trim them back so they will fill out . Is it too hard on them to do that this time of the year?
Charlene
I trim mine back where they grow out of the flowerbed and make it difficult for the lawn people to mow. They look kind of lopsided after, but it doesn't hurt them any.
I don't believe they would even notice! and if you've a mind to ( and the time to do so),....take those cuttings and put them in some soil! I just stick 'em in the flower bed or a pot of soil...either way,...it would be best to have them out of direct sunlight until they take....but not absolutely necessary...just don't let them dry out...they do better if kept watered regularly until their roots get a good headstart.
Now,....I've heard of the "drop & roll" technique for extinguishing your clothing on fire ...but not to "baffle & evade" a chicken snake (smile).
Thanks for the info on the Oleanders. I am going to take cuttings this evening as I trim them back to help shape them.
Charlene
Charlene I took cuttings from mine a few days ago. I dropped a few in water I had cut for the round up and within 2 weeks they had root. I was not expecting that so I don't know whuch they are.
I did the double peach pink the other day. I did not cut back the whole thing as I thought if I did half now and half later the shock may not be too bad. It seems the wood part roots great and doesn't need leaves left on it to root. But a few leaves tell you they are ok if they don't wilt or do then spring back up. As they get their roots they start to sprout leaves. Just what I found to happen this year. Make sure you mark them for the color they are. I only did the one so far and until I get out in the heat to mark them I am not cutting another color. lol
I need to lose weight but not seeing snakes. lol
This story was in the news a few months ago. Thought you might enjoy it.
http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=9216055
Wow........what a terrible mistake to make - misidentifying the cottonmouth - amazing that it remained in the classroom all that time without incident....until that time of the two being bitten. Lee
can you say....... lawsuit????
with capital letters......
The teacher didn't even lose his job, which I really thought would happen. I've worked in school districts for 15 years and know that sometimes a teacher has been asked to resign or they make their life difficult enough that they end of leaving. I don't know how he felt at the end of the school year but it did sound as if they supported the teacher. I'd never be that lucky.